Story and photos by Allen Wright
Chelsea football team put its unbeaten streak on the line Friday night in Monroe against the Trojans and came home with a 28-7 victory.
On the Trojan’s senior night, under a big full moon, both teams moved the ball well on their first possessions, but were unable to capitalize due to turnovers. Monroe was driving when their quarterback went for it from the 20, but a leaping Cal Barrett was able to break up the pass and an alert Cole Septer made a diving grab for the ball. Septer was able to hold on for an interception ending the drive.
Then Jack Bush completed a great pass to Bryce Jubenville, who made a circus catch. The Bulldog drive stalled and on the ensuing punt, Braden Steele was able to apply quick coverage on the return man, who misplayed and touched the ball and it rolled into the end zone. Alex Vasquez jumped on it for what appeared to be a Chelsea touchdown. But the referees claimed it was not touched and was a touchback giving Monroe the ball at its own 20.
A few plays later, Monroe’s running back fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Travis Frazier but the referees said the player was down.
With time running out in the 2nd quarter, Chelsea got the big break they needed as the Trojans fumbled the ball at midfield and it rolled all the way to the 8-yard line where Chelsea recovered the ball.
Gus Reynolds took the ball up the middle and fought to get into the end zone, but the refs determined he was stopped short. On the next play, Bush put his head down for the quarterback keeper to give Chelsea a 7-0 lead going into the half.
Chelsea’s Head Coach Brad Bush is a master of halftime strategy and making adjustments and it showed as on the Bulldog’s first possession of the second half. Chelsea moved the ball quickly downfield with Gus Reynolds busting his way into the end zone on a 7-yard run for his 13th rushing touchdown. Bulldogs, 14-0.
The Trojans fought back and on a fourth-and-goal were able to convert on a reverse cutting the Bulldog lead in half. After an onside kick recovery by Chelsea, the Bulldogs were able to mix it up with the pass and run and get down to the 1 where Bush hammered in for a 21-7 lead on his 9th rushing score of the season.
On the ensuing drive after the kickoff, Monroe’s Spencer Knapp was picked off by Drew Anstead setting Chelsea up at the Monroe 26. On the very next play, it was Bush passing to Jubenville who used the old hook and ladder play perfectly – as he pitched it to Cam Cooper who jetted into the end zone untouched for a Chelsea 28-7 lead.
With time running out on the Trojans, Chelsea’s Cash Shegan was able to recover a fumble and Chelsea was able to run out the clock en route to an 8-0 record on the season.
Shegan finished the night with 4 total tackles, a sack, and the fumble recovery. Chris Roush led all defenseman with a combined 9 tackles while Frazier finished with 8 tackles and 2 sacks, which gives him 8 and a half sacks on the season. He also leads the team with 14 tackles for loss.
Reynolds led the way for the Bulldogs with 60 yards on the ground while Jubenville led the Bulldog receivers with 5 catches for 89 yards. Quarterback Bush was nearly perfect on the night as he completed 10 of his 11 passes for 112 yards and a score.
Chelsea will finish out its regular season Friday at home as they honor their seniors against a tough Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard team.
